Lid for a can with an improved seal

ABSTRACT

A lid for a paint can having a lid base which is threadably mounted to a mating ring dimensioned to overlie the can chime on the paint can. A seal constructed of a flexible and compressible material is carried by the mating ring and, upon rotation of the mating ring relative to the lid base between an open and a closed position, the mating ring compresses the sealing ring against the can chime to complete a fluid seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to lids for cans, such as paint cans, and, more particularly, to such a lid with an improved seal.

II. Description of the Related Art

Paint cans are typically tubular and cylindrical in shape having a closed bottom and a circular chime formed around its top. This circular chime includes both an inner rim as well as an outer rim and is dimensioned to removably receive the lid for the paint can.

There are many previously known dispensing lids that are detachably secured to the open top of the paint can for dispensing paint from the paint can. Such lids are used, for example, in automotive repair shops and oftentimes used in conjunction with automatic stirring equipment. These previously known removable lids typically include a spout and a handle to manipulate the paint can once the lid is attached to the can.

There are still other situations, such as automated paint mixing equipment, in which a detachable lid must be secured across the open top of the paint can in order to selectively dispense paint from the paint can. In such automated mixing equipment, the paint can is often inverted during the mixing process. As such, a fluid-tight seal between the paint can and the lid is essential to prevent leakage of paint from the can during the mixing operation.

These previously known paint can lids for automated stirring equipment, however, do not provide a sufficient seal such that they can be used with automated paint mixing equipment. Consequently, a paint can lid with an improved sealing engagement between the lid and the paint can is highly desirable when the paint can is used with automated paint mixing equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a lid for a paint can which overcomes all of the above mentioned disadvantages of the previously known lids and which is particularly suitable for use in automated paint mixing apparatuses.

In brief, the lid of the present invention comprises a lid base having an annular wall with a threaded portion. A mating ring is dimensioned to overlie the can chime and is threadably mounted to the threaded portion of the lid base. This mating ring, furthermore, is constructed of a non-compressible, but flexible, material and is rotatable relative to the lid base between an open and a closed position. In doing so, the axial position of the mating ring relative to the lid base changes slightly due to the coaction of the threads between the mating ring and the lid base.

The mating ring also includes at least one, and preferably several, annularly spaced and inwardly projecting chime clips around its outer periphery. These chime clips are dimensioned to extend under an outer rim on the can chime. With the chime clips positioned underneath the outer rim of the can chime, the can is locked to the mating ring which, in turn, is locked to the lid base.

A seal ring is carried by the mating ring and is dimensioned to overlie at least a portion of the can chime. This sealing ring is constructed of a compressible material, such as an elastomeric material, so that the seal ring forms a fluid seal between the seal ring and the can chime when compressed.

Rotation of the mating ring relative to the lid base from the open and to the closed position simultaneously compresses the seal ring against the can chime and seals the sealing ring to the lid base. Simultaneously, the lid base compresses the mating ring and locks the chime clips in their engaged position beneath the outer rim of the can chime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the lid in a closed position; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the lid in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the lid 20 for a paint can 22 according to the present invention is shown. The lid 20 is illustrated in the drawing as a lid for an automated paint mixing equipment. However, the lid 20 may be used in any operation in which a lid for the paint can is desired.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the lid 20 includes a lid base 24 which is generally circular in cross-sectional shape. The lid base 24 may be constructed of any suitable rigid material, such as rigid plastic, and includes an outwardly extending flange 26 which overlies a chime 28 of the paint can 22. This chime 28, furthermore, includes an outer rim 30 which protrudes slightly outwardly from the outer periphery of the can 22, and an inner rim 32.

With reference now particularly to FIG. 5, the lid base 24 includes an inner annular wall 34, an outer annular wall 36, and an intermediate annular wall 30 positioned in between the inner and outer walls 34 and 36, respectively. The overall lid base 24 is preferably of a one-piece construction.

Still referring to FIG. 5, an inverted and generally U-shaped annular channel 40 is formed in between the inner annular wall 34 and intermediate annular wall 38 of the lid base 24. At least one side wall of the annular channel 40, and preferably the inner side of the intermediate side wall 38, includes a threaded portion 42. Preferably, this threaded portion 42 is internally threaded.

A mating ring 44 constructed of a generally non-compressible, but flexible material, such as plastic, is at least partially inserted into the channel 40. This mating ring 44 includes a threaded portion 46 which threadably cooperates with the internal threads 42 on the lid base 24 so that the mating ring 44 and lid base 24 are rotatable relative to each other between an open and a closed position. The amount of rotation between the lid base 24 and the mating ring 44, however, is preferably limited to less than one half rotation and, even more preferably, about one quarter of a rotation of the lid base 24 relative to the mating ring 44.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the lid base 24 preferably includes a snap lock 50 on its inner annular wall which threadably engages a notch 52 on the mating ring 44. This snap lock 50 in conjunction with the notch 52 and threads 42 and 46 thus retain the lid base 24 and mating ring 44 together even when removed from the paint can 22.

An inner annular portion 48 of the mating ring 44 abuts against the outer surface 55 of the inner annular wall 34 of the lid base 24. Preferably, either the inner annular wall 34 of the lid base 24 or the inner portion 48 of the mating ring 44 is tapered so that axial displacement of the lid base 24 into the mating ring 44 causes the inner annular wall 48 of the mating ring 44 to flex outwardly for a reason to be subsequently described.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the mating ring 44 completely overlies the chime 28 of the paint can. An outer annular rim 52 of the mating ring 44 is aligned with but positioned radially outwardly from the outer rim 30 of the paint can chime. This outer rim 52, furthermore, includes a plurality, such as four, circumferentially spaced chime-retaining clips 54 (only one shown) which protrude radially inwardly and extend under the outer rim 30 of the chime. In addition, the mating ring 44 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 56 entirely around its periphery. This flange 56 is aligned with the outer annular wall 36 of the lid base 24 for a reason to be shortly described.

With reference now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 5, a sealing ring 60 constructed of a flexible and compressible material, such as an elastomeric material, is positioned within the mating ring 44 and retained to the mating ring 44 by a retainer abutment surface 62 formed on the inner annular portion 48 of the mating ring 44. This seal ring 60, furthermore, is generally L-shaped and includes an annular and axially extending leg 64 positioned around and in abutment with the inner annular portion 48 of the mating ring 44. The seal ring also has a second leg 64 which overlies the inner rim 32 of the paint can chime at one end and abuts against the outer rim 30 of the paint can chime at its outer or free end.

In operation, the lid base and mating ring are rotatable between an open position, illustrated in FIG. 5, and a closed position, illustrated in FIG. 4, relative to each other. In its open position (FIG. 5) the lid base 24 is shifted upwardly relative to the mating ring 44 and the can chime 28 is positioned within the sealing ring 60 and the clips 54 engage under the outer rim 30 of the chime to hold the lid 20 and can 22 together. The lid base 26 and mating ring 44 are then rotated relative to each other to its closed position, illustrated in FIG. 4, which shifts the lid base 24 downwardly relative to the mating ring 44.

As shown in FIG. 4, the downward movement of the lid base 24 relative to the mating ring 44 causes a plurality of interactions between the seal ring 60 and the paint can 22. First, the downward movement of the inner annular wall 34 of the lid base 24 deflects the inner annular portion 48 of the mating ring 44, and thus the leg 64 of the sealing ring 60, radially outwardly. In doing so, the seal ring 60 is compressed around the inner bottom portion 70 of the inner chime 32 thus fluidly sealing the lid base, mating ring, seal ring 60, and chime together.

Secondly, as the lid base 24 and mating ring 44 are moved from their open and to their closed position, the intermediate annular wall 38 of the lid base 24 compresses the mating ring 44 and seal ring 60 against the chime. This, in turn, creates a fluid seal between the sealing ring 60 and an outer annular surface of the inner rim 32 of the chime as well as an inner annular surface of the outer rim 30 of the can chime. These additional seals thus ensure a complete fluid seal between the contents of the paint can 22 even in the event of some leakage around the seal ring 60.

Lastly, the movement of the lid base 24 and mating ring 44 relative to each other also compresses the outer annular flange 56 of the mating ring 44 downwardly. This, in turn, compresses the chime clips radially inwardly to ensure a firm grip between the mating ring 44 and the outside chime 30 of the paint can 22.

Following the use of the paint can with its attached lid 22, the lid 20 may be easily removed from the paint can 22 by merely rotating the lid base 24 and mating ring 44 back to their open position (FIG. 5). This rotation thus eliminates the compression of the seal ring 60 against the paint can chime and also simultaneously relieves the radially inward pressure on the chime-retaining clips to permit the paint can 22 to be removed from the chime-retaining clips. Such removal will cause the chime-retaining clips to flex outwardly away from the chime.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a highly effective paint can lid specially designed for use with automated paint mixing equipment. The paint can lid of the present invention through multiple seals ensures a fluid-tight seal between the contents of the paint can 22 and the lid 20.

Having described my invention, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A lid for a can having a circular chime which forms a circular opening around an inner radial surface, said lid comprising: a lid base, a mating ring dimensioned to overlie the can chime and threadably mounted to said lid base, said mating ring constructed of a non-compressible and flexible material and rotatable relative to said lid base between an open and a closed position, a seal ring carried by said mating ring and dimensioned to overlie at least a portion of the chime, said sealing ring constructed of a compressible material, wherein rotation of said mating ring from said open to said closed position sealingly compresses said seal ring against the chime and locks the can to the lid.
 2. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal is constructed of an elastomeric material.
 3. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of both said mating ring and said seal extend over the inner radial surface of said chime.
 4. The lid as defined in claim 3 and comprising an inner annular wall on said lid base which extends through the circular opening of the chime, said inner annular wall dimensioned to deflect said mating ring radially outwardly as said mating ring is rotated from its open to its closed position and compress said seal against the inner radial surface of the chime.
 5. The lid as defined in claim 4 wherein an outer surface of said inner annular wall tapers radially inwardly from said lid base and to a free end of said inner annular wall.
 6. The lid as defined in claim 5 wherein said lid base and said inner annular wall are of a one piece construction.
 7. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein the chime includes an outer rim and wherein said mating ring compresses said seal ring against said outer rim as said mating ring is rotated from said open and to said closed position.
 8. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein the chime has an inner rim with an outer radial surface and wherein said mating ring compresses said seal ring against said inner rim outer surface as said mating ring is rotated from said open and to said closed position.
 9. The lid as defined in claim 1 and comprising a snap lock mechanism to retain said mating ring to said lid base.
 10. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein said lid base includes an outer annular wall which extends around an outer rim of the chime and a middle annular wall positioned between the inner and outer annular walls of said mating ring.
 11. The lid as defined in claim 10 and comprising a radially outwardly extending retainer flange on said inner annular wall of said mating ring which engages and retains said seal ring to said mating ring.
 12. The lid as defined in claim 10 and comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially inwardly extending chime clips on said mating ring which are positioned underneath and outside of the outer rim of the chime, and wherein said outer annular wall of said lid base is spaced radially outwardly from said chime clips so that, as said mating ring is rotated from said open to said closed position, said outer wall of said mating ring compresses said chime clips radially inwardly and locks said mating ring to the can.
 13. The lid as defined in claim 12 wherein said outer wall of said lid base is aligned with a radially outwardly extending abutment wall on said mating ring.
 14. The lid as defined in claim 1 wherein the chime includes an inner rim and an outer rim, and wherein said seal ring is generally L-shaped having one leg extending across an inner annular surface of the inner chime rim, and a second leg which extends over an axial end of the inner chime rim and to the outer chime rim. 